Very nice report @MaladyNelson, as usual.
I was just reading - I don’t know where - about someone getting a Yeastie’s bagel and it had too much runny cream cheese. I thought “How is too much cream cheese a bad thing and how does cream cheese become runny”? But looking at your bagel I can see, cream cheese does look curiously wet… but still good 
.
[quote=“bulavinaka, post:201, topic:4358”]
Very nice photos by the way - have I ever mentioned that? 
[/quote]I know. I feel like a broken record
complimenting her pictures. But they are really good.
Connie and Teds
They were filming a YouTube show. Chef was in the house so most of the cold stuff was made by him.
Adult beverage, something cucumber
Live Santa Barbara Sea Urchin 
Chef choice dozen oysters, all great and mignonette was great
Hot Lobster Roll
Fried Clams w/ Bellies
Great meal here. Maybe it was because chef was in house, but all the food was on point. My only minor criticism is the slaw and the fries were average but who is really coming here for that.
Sonoratown
Grabbed a variety of items. All the food was solid. The grilled meats had a slight smiley flavor to compliment the food but smiley enough to power through the strong competing flavors such as cilantro, salsa verde, onion, et al. The chorizo was good, IIRC I got in quesadilla. The chivichangas were both good, the salsa verde made it better. Them grilling the outside gave it a different char smoke flavor. Overall, I would perhaps stop by if in the area. The flour tortillas were above average but nothing to go crazy about.
Nice meals. C&T’s oysters - do they tend to bring in certain varieties from certain areas? My wife prefers smaller Kumamoto-like oysters. And her sister visiting from Malaysia tried here first really fresh oyster (her previous tries in KL/SIN have been “fishy” 
). She was impressed - Hog Island space at the Ferry Bldg.
I should have taken a picture of the list of oysters. They come in from all sorts of places. I believe they had about 10-12 different varieties. I know the two smaller pairs on the right of the picture came from WA. There was also Black Duck Salts from VA but those were bigger.
Thanks for the info. I’m sure with so many varieties, my wife would be happy as a clam?
#i-naba
Can we have a moment of silence for all my taste buds that died because i couldn’t wait for my tempura to cool off. thanks.
Thanks to @Chowseeker1999 and @bulavinaka for the i-naba rec. Their tempura is legit and reminded me of the tempura i had in kyoto and it was even better than that overpriced tempura place in BH.
a lil soba and tempura appetizer before the tempura
shrimp, eggplant, sweet potato, pumpkin, sweet pepper
squid - holy shit this was one of the highlights of the night, i thought i was eating a scallop it was so soft and tender
whiting - this was another winner, like biting into a perfect fish stick
shiitake mushroom - the hits keep on coming
onion
shiso
anago and bone - so light and flaky, if this was served with some fries it would the perfect fish n chips
flathead
shrimp stuffed shiitake
scallop
uni
squid roll - just as awesome as the squid tempura
scallop kakiage
soft shell crab
persimmon - sweet, crispy, tender, great dessert
Fuck I gotta get me to inaba.
Persimmon tempura = J-fritter?
The squid is like scallop, but that scallop with the lemon wedging the two halves, and in that kakiage… I think the uni and scallops will soon join forces.
#enemyofmyenemy
Nice meal!
Thanks to @CiaoBob for the recommendation for their Cubano, we finally remembered to stop by. 
A Cut Above is primarily a Butcher Shop, featuring humanely-raised, quality meats. They also turn that quality meat into a variety of Sandwiches.
There’s some seating available, so it’s not just take-out only.
Cubano Sandwich (Nueske Ham, Slow Roasted Kurobuta Pork Shoulder with Dill Pickles, Jalapeños, Caramelized Onions, Swiss Cheese, Cilantro & Mustard served on a pressed French Baguette):
This is a pretty good, robust sandwich. I’ve never tried a Cubano in Miami before, or anything as fantastic as out of the movie Chef, but this seemed to have many high points. The Kurobuta Pork Shoulder was tender and moist (and fresh), the Nueske Ham was a nice touch that complemented the Pork Shoulder. There was a great crunch from the pressed / grilled Ca’ D’ Oro Bakery French Baguette. Some sweetness from the Caramelized Onions and a nice mustardy kick.
Definitely on the heavy side, but delicious nonetheless.
A Cut Above
2453 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Tel: (310) 998-8500
Sunny Blue featured a few more specials on their board this week.
Wasabi Tsukudani Onigiri (Pickled Konbu with Pickled Wasabi), Brown Rice:
We almost forgot how huge Sunny Blue’s Onigiri are. We ordered them with Brown Rice, and the Wasabi Tsukudani was delicious! Sinus-clearing bursts of Wasabi, but balanced out with the Pickled Veggies within.
Spicy Tuna Bacon Onigiri (No Bacon - it’s Katsuobushi), Brown Rice:
While it’s listed as “Tuna Bacon,” they actually explicitly state there is no Bacon inside of this. Instead they meant to say that the Bacon-like flavor is evoked due to their use of Katsuobushi (Dried, Smoked Skipjack Tuna). And indeed, the amount of Katsuobushi that they use really does make you feel like you’re eating delicious, smoky, meaty “Bacon,” but it’s just fish. This was also excellent.
Konbu Arugula Onigiri, Brown Rice:
This was an interesting seasonal one as well: Their delicious Rice Ball with Konbu and Arugula. Like the other two, their Nori Seaweed is slightly crisp (if you eat it fresh on the spot), and the Konbu and herbs / seasoning were the primary stars. I didn’t really taste enough of the Arugula (I wish there was more).
Overall, Sunny Blue remains a great place to hop in, get some healthy Onigiri and be on your way. I love the option of using Brown Rice as well. Thanks again for the rec, @Dommy @MaladyNelson!
Sunny Blue (Santa Monica)
2728 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Tel: (310) 399-9030
K-towning with @CiaoBob & a certain food writer we know:
Warm-up: Suntory Hakushu 18, at Cafe Bleu…
Large order of the spicy galbi jjim (braised beef short rib stew), at Sun Nong Dan…
Ginger ginseng chicken soup & abalone porridge/egg, at Mountain Cafe…
Mandu, at Mountain Cafe…
Thanks, @TheCookie!
This was one time where I was thankful that I work at home. I had cream cheese and tomato smeared all over my face… It was delicious though. It’s best to eat Yeastie Boys’ bagel sandwiches in complete privacy.
I love your selections from Sunny Blue, @Chowseeker1999, particularly the spicy tuna bacon onigiri. I’m such a sucker for katsuobushi! Have you tried their black sesame soft serve? It’s especially good if you let it melt a little, as the sesame flavor is more pronounced.
Hi @MaladyNelson,
Ooh, I didn’t think about trying their soft serve (let alone black sesame version!). Thanks for the tip. Next time for sure. 
I wouldn’t say their soft serve merits a commute across town since their flavors aren’t always great, @Chowseeker1999. I’m looking at you, cucumber soft serve - blech. However, they’ll allow you to sample them, which I highly recommend. But the black sesame is their strongest contender.
Hi @MaladyNelson,
No worries, Sunny Blue is close for us. 
Not a far drive.
But speaking of which, and something @paranoidgarliclover would love, where’s the best Kurogoma ice cream / gelato / soft serve you’ve had?
I would love it if Mr. Bulgarini made his version of pure Black Sesame Gelato at Bulgarini one day. 
#Lodge Bread
roasted tomatillo, burnt maui onions, taleggio, mizuna
this was terrible, one of the worst pizzas i’ve had in a long time. the tomatillo was so tart and sour it tasted like melted sourpatch kids. when i got a bite of the maui onion the sweetness actually balanced out the sour, unfortunately i only got about 6 bites of onion on the whole pie. the one positive is i got a great jaw workout trying to chew through the burnt doughy crust.
the upskirt
#Maple Block Meat Co.
I had to get the taste of that terrible pizza out of my mouth so i had some meat for second dinner.
beef brisket, pork spare ribs
This was okay, half my brisket was way too lean and dry.
